WORLD ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS: SIX UP-AND-COMING TALENTS LOOKING TO MAKE AN IMPACT

CATHY FREEMAN

This exuberant and talented Australian of Aboriginal background won the Commonwealth 200 and 400 metres in style last summer, and her 400m victory in Monte Carlo last week, with Marie-Jose Perec five places behind, raised new expectations.

GHADA SHOUAA

The 21-year-old Asian champion leads the 1995 heptathlon world rankings and promises to create a fascinating challenge to the established order of Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Heike Drechsler and Sabine Braun. From Syria, she comes to Gothenburg from a completely different culture.

RICHARD NERURKAR

Having been pre-selected as a British marathon choice last year, the former Russian teacher from Marlborough College has prepared meticulously at altitude and even in Gothenburg, where he recently won a half-marathon. A medal would be a triumph.

OKKERT BRITS

This 22-year-old has made up for the disappointment of failing to clear a height at last year's Commonwealth Games by recording a 6.00m pole vault at altitude this year, putting him level atop the 1995 rankings with Sergei Bubka. He may be the man to overtake the Ukrainian.

VENUSTE NIYONGABO

If Noureddine Morceli of Algeria falters for any reason in the 1500m, this 21-year-old from Burundi will be right on his shoulder. A huge talent for the near future. He is second to Morceli in this year's rankings - albeit three seconds behind - with a time of 3min 30.78sec.

WILSON KIPKETER

The 800m title, in Kenya since 1987 thanks to Billy Konchellah and Paul Ruto, could pass to Denmark this year - but it would be to an adopted Kenyan. Kipketer took up Danish citizenship in 1993. Ran 1:42.87 in Monte Carlo last week, the fourth fastest ever.